Veterinary medical tubing removal deterrent technology

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for discouraging or deterring animals from removing or attempting to remove veterinary medical lines which are attached to them or otherwise located in their immediate vicinity. The apparatus includes a tube body, two electrical conductors connected to the tube body in a spiral, wrapped configuration, and a battery power source. The tube is constructed of a non-conductive material and may be of varying diameter and length. The conductors are disposed so that they may be contacted on the outside of the tube body, and upon contact with the animal&#39;s tongue or saliva, an electrical circuit is completed through the tongue, conductors and power source, thereby delivering an electrical impulse through the sensitive tissues of the animal. The low voltage electrical shock is harmless to the animal but is unpleasant, thus the animal does not attempt to remove the intravenous tube and medicating proceeds as normal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS, IF ANY

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) ofco-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/062,532,filed Jan. 28, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

37 C.F.R. §1.71(e) AUTHORIZATION

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent documentor the patent disclosure, as it appears in the US Patent and TrademarkOffice patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrightrights whatsoever.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX, IF ANY

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates, generally, to veterinary medicalapparatus and methods, and to tubing apparatus and methods. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to a veterinary medical lick andbite deterrent apparatus and methods for use in fluid therapyadministered to small animals such as dogs and cats. The invention maybe used in other fields and applications.

2. Background Information

The state of the art, in general, includes various veterinary medicaltubes, hoses or lines which function to administer fluids (liquid orgas), medicines and/or nourishment into the body of a patient animal,for example a dog or a cat. IV lines are typically thin, flexible,plastic tubes that run from a bottle or bag of liquid a certain distanceto an injection needle or to an intravenous catheter (another smalltube) placed in a vein in the body. Medicines may be injected into theIV system and infused into the fluid contained in the bottle or bag. Therate or speed of the infusion is typically set or controlled by a rollerclamp on the tube, by a balloon that squeezes out the medicine, or by anelectronic pump. Gas tubes are somewhat similar to IV lines, andtypically transmit Oxygen from a tank to a mask or small tubes (nasalcannula) placed just inside the nostrils. Feeding tubes transmit liquidfood or nutrients from a bag or bottle to a tube placed in the stomachor the small intestine. The tube may go in through the nose or via thewall of the stomach. Liquids in IV lines must be sterile (completelygerm free), to avoid putting microorganisms into the bloodstream andcausing infections. The IV lines must be handled carefully to keep germsout of the patient's body. Tube feedings and oxygen tubes should be keptclean, but do not have to be sterile.

From time-to-time, animals resist having veterinary medical tubesattached to them. The tubing may cause discomfort. Also, animals arenaturally inclined to attempt to remove such devices by licking orbiting the device. If the animal removes the device, the effect of themedication, feeding or breathing means will be lost, resulting in adanger to the animal. At the very least, this necessitates reapplicationof a new tube, incurring added expense in both time and money.

A common device to deter this removal is the placement of a collar onthe animal so that it does not try to remove the device. This is notalways effective and thus a solution to this problem has been to devisea means to deter the animal from removing the therapeutic device.

In addition the collar, there exists a means to deter animals fromlicking, chewing or removing bandages, wraps, and the like attached tothe animal for treatment of wounds and surgical incisions. An effectiveproduct, STOPLIK™ Lick Deterrent System is manufactured and sold byRockway, Inc. of Spring Valley, Wis., USA. This device includes anadhesive strip with low electric current for application to the body ofanimal on, over or adjacent to a wound or injury to deter or discouragethe animal from aggregating the wound by licking or chewing on the woundor a wrap or bandage. This device is described in U.S. Pat. Nos.5,896,830 and 6,453,850, which are incorporated herein by reference.This device comprises a strip-like laminate body, adhesively coated onthe inward side and with printed conductors on the outward sideconnected to a battery. When the animal attempts to remove the woundwrapping by licking or biting, a low electrical shock is administeredwhen the tongue contacts both terminals of the printed conductivesurface.

In summary, the existing technology is believed to have limitations andshortcomings. A need therefor exists for the present invention.

All US patents and patent applications, and all other publisheddocuments mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated byreference in their entirety.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a removal deterrent apparatus and method forveterinary medical tubing and the like, which is practical, reliable,efficient, and safe, and which is believed to fulfill the need and toconstitute an improvement over the background technology.

In a basic aspect, the invention provides an apparatus, comprising anelongated tube body, at least two elongated electrical conductorsconnected to the tube body in a predetermined configuration, and a powersource, the conductors being configured so that they may be contacted onthe outside of the tube body by an animal's tongue or saliva, anelectrical circuit is completed thereby delivering an electrical impulseto the animal.

In another aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for discouragingor deterring animals from removing or attempting to remove veterinarymedical lines which are attached to them or otherwise located in theirimmediate vicinity. The apparatus includes a tube body, two electricalconductors connected to the tube body in a spiral, wrappedconfiguration, and a battery power source. The tube is constructed of anon-conductive material and may be of varying diameter and length. Theconductors are disposed so that they may be contacted on the outside ofthe tube body, and upon contact with the animal's tongue (directly) orsaliva, an electrical circuit is completed through the tongue,conductors and power source, thereby delivering an electrical impulsethrough the sensitive tissues of the animal. The low voltage electricalshock is harmless to the animal but is unpleasant, thus the animal doesnot attempt to remove the intravenous tube and medicating proceeds asnormal.

In yet another aspect, the invention provides a veterinary medical IVline system for discouraging or deterring animals from removing orattempting to remove the system which is attached to them or otherwiselocated in their immediate vicinity, comprising:

-   -   a. a non-conductive, elongated tube body of a predetermined        length and diameter and having a central lumen and an input end        and an output end, two elongated electrical conductors connected        to the tube body in a spiral, wrapped configuration, and a        battery power source, the conductors being configured so that        they may be contacted on the outside of the tube body, and upon        contact with the animal's tongue or saliva, an electrical        circuit is completed through the tongue, conductors and power        source, thereby delivering an electrical impulse to the animal;    -   b. a fluid source connected to the input end of the tube body;        and    -   c. a delivery element connected to the output end of the tube        body and to body of an animal at its other end, the tube        delivering fluid from the fluid source to the delivery element.

The aspects, features, advantages, benefits and objects of the inventionwill become clear to those skilled in the art by reference to thefollowing description, claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a portion of the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides an apparatus and method of use fordiscouraging or deterring animals from removing or attempting to removeveterinary medical lines which are attached to them or otherwise locatedin their immediate vicinity.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a basic embodiment of the apparatus 10 comprisesa tube body 12, at least two electrical conductors 14A and B connectedto the tube body 12 in a predetermined configuration, and a power source16. The tube 12 is constructed of a non-conductive material such as aplastic, of a predetermined thickness and has a central lumen forconveying liquid or gas fluid. The tube 12 may be of varying diameterand length. The conductors 14 are disposed so that they may be contactedon the outside of the tube body 12, and upon contact with the animal'stongue (directly) or saliva, an electrical circuit is completed throughthe tongue, conductors 14 and power source 16, thereby delivering anelectrical impulse through the sensitive tissues of the animal. The lowvoltage electrical shock is harmless to the animal but is unpleasant,thus the animal does not attempt to remove the intravenous tube andmedicating or other processes proceeds as normal.

In one embodiment, the conductors 14 are bonded to the body 12. Theconductors 14 may be printed on the body 12, coupled via an adhesive orintegrally formed in the body 12. The conductors are preferably thin,foil, conductive, for example metal, tape. The conductors 14 extend fromthe power source 16 along the body 12. They are preferably spiralwrapped along the length of the tube 12. Alternatively, they may bealigned in some other curvilinear arrangement, or in a lineararrangement such as in straight lines, steps, zig zags, or the like. Theindividual strips 14 a and b are separated a predetermined distance bythe non-conductive body 12 and do not contact each other. The metal foiltape strips 14 are connected to the positive and negative terminals ofthe power source 16 such that one metal foil tape strip is positive andthe other is negative. Electrically conductive metal wires orelectrically conductive printing ink other electrically conductivematerials could be substituted for the electrically conductive metalfoil tape strips 14.

The power source 16 of this embodiment is preferably a battery coupledand in circuit with the exposed conductors 14. The power supply 16applies positive and negative low voltage. The power supply 16 isconnected to the tube 12, but may be connected to some other device suchas the fluid source. Preferred batteries are those known as Lithiumbatteries. Lithium batteries are primary batteries that have lithiummetal or lithium compounds as an anode. Depending on the design andchemical compounds used, lithium cells can produce voltages from 1.5volts to about 3 volts, direct current. This is twice the voltage ofordinary zinc-carbon or alkaline cell. The batteries are also lighter inweight than the conventional zinc-carbon or alkaline cells. The mostcommon of the lithium batteries is the lithium ion battery that hasfound wide consumer use. The materials used are inexpensive and suitablefor low-drain, long-life and low-cost applications. It possesses a highenergy density per both mass and volume and can deliver high pulsecurrents within a wide temperature range. Another advantage of thelithium ion battery is that it is readily rechargeable. Additionally,they have the one of the best energy-to-weight ration, no memory effect,and a slow loss of charge when not in us. Additional devices may beincorporated that give an audible signal to the owner when the batterypower is running low and in need of recharging.

The device 10 functions by emitting a low voltage electrical shock tothe animals' mouth when the saliva comes in contact with and complete anelectric circuit between the charged metal strips 14. The electricalshock is unpleasant to the animal thus the animal does not disturb theIV tube 10, and healing may proceed as normal.

An additional or substitute means of deterrent may include audioemissions that may be sense only by the animal. The frequency range ofsound for many domestic animals is great than human hearing. The rangeof hearing is from about 20 to about 20,000 hertz (Hz). For a dog therange is from about 40 to about 60,000 Hz; for a cat from about 45 toabout 64,000 Hz. Thus, an apparatus may be constructed to emit an audioemission to provide the form of deterrent for each species of animal.

Still another means of deterrent within the purview of the invention maybe in the form of an odor emission. When the animal's tongue contacts astrip on the tube 12, the strip then emits a noxious odor causing theanimal to defer from removing the medical tube, container and injectionmeans.

In another aspect, the invention provides a veterinary medical IV linesystem for discouraging or deterring animals from removing or attemptingto remove the system which is attached to them or otherwise located intheir immediate vicinity, comprising:

-   -   a. a non-conductive, elongated tube body 12 of a predetermined        length and diameter and having a central lumen and an input end        and an output end, two elongated electrical conductors 14        connected to the tube body 12 in a spiral, wrapped        configuration, and a battery power source 16, the conductors 14        being configured so that they may be contacted on the outside of        the tube body 12, and upon contact with the animal's tongue or        saliva, an electrical circuit is completed through the tongue,        conductors 12 and power source 16, thereby delivering an        electrical impulse to the animal;    -   b. a fluid source connected to the input end of the tube body        12; and    -   c. a delivery element connected to the output end of the tube        body 12 and to body of an animal at its other end, the tube        delivering fluid from the fluid source to the delivery element.

The invention also provides a method of attaching the apparatus 10 to afluid source, such as a liquid medication container, bottle or bag, or agas canister, and to the animal so as to be useful to prevent the animalremoving the apparatus 10. A veterinarian or other personnel activatesthe device 10 by placing the battery pack 16 in the appropriate positionthus energizing the metal foil strips 14. The device 10 is attached tothe medication reservoir and animal (not shown). If the animal attemptsto remove the protected wound dressing by licking or biting the device10, an unpleasant low voltage electrical shock is felt by the animal.

The descriptions above and the accompanying materials should beinterpreted in the illustrative and not the limited sense. While theinvention has been disclosed in connection with the preferred embodimentor embodiments thereof, it should be understood that there may be otherembodiments which fall within the scope of the invention.

1. An apparatus, comprising an elongated tube body, at least twoelongated electrical conductors connected to the tube body in apredetermined configuration, and a power source, the conductors beingconfigured so that they may be contacted on the outside of the tube bodyby an animal's tongue or saliva, an electrical circuit is completedthereby delivering an electrical impulse to the animal.
 2. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the tube has a central lumen and is attached to afluid source at one end, and to a delivery element connected to the bodyof an animal at its other end, the tube delivering fluid from the fluidsource to the delivery element.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein thefluid source is an intravenous (IV) fluid container.
 4. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the fluid source is an intravenous feeding container.5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid source is a gascontainer.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the delivery element isa percutaneous needle.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the deliveryelement is a transcutaneous catheter.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the tube body is constructed of a non-conductive material. 9.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tube body has a predetermineddiameter and a predetermined length.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the conductors extend the entire length of the tube body. 11.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the conductors are conductive foiltape connected to the tube body.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe conductors are conductive wires.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the conductors are constructed of conductive ink printed on thetube body.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predeterminedconnection of conductors is spiral wrapping on the tube body.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source comprises at least onebattery.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the power source isconnected to the tube body.
 17. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein thepower source is connected to the fluid source.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the apparatus is part of a veterinary medical IV linesystem, including the fluid source and the delivery element to prevent,adapted for connection and therapeutic use with a small animal todiscourage or deter the animal from removing or attempting to remove theIV line system.
 19. An apparatus for discouraging or deterring animalsfrom removing or attempting to remove veterinary medical line systemswhich are attached to them or otherwise located in their immediatevicinity, comprising a non-conductive, elongated tube body of apredetermined length and diameter and having a central lumen, twoelongated electrical conductors connected to the tube body in a spiral,wrapped configuration, and a battery power source, the conductors beingconfigured so that they may be contacted on the outside of the tubebody, and upon contact with the animal's tongue or saliva, an electricalcircuit is completed through the tongue, conductors and power source,thereby delivering an electrical impulse to the animal.
 20. A veterinarymedical IV line system for discouraging or deterring animals fromremoving or attempting to remove the system which is attached to them orotherwise located in their immediate vicinity, comprising: a. anon-conductive, elongated tube body of a predetermined length anddiameter and having a central lumen and an input end and an output end,two elongated electrical conductors connected to the tube body in aspiral, wrapped configuration, and a battery power source, theconductors being configured so that they may be contacted on the outsideof the tube body, and upon contact with the animal's tongue or saliva,an electrical circuit is completed through the tongue, conductors andpower source, thereby delivering an electrical impulse to the animal; b.a fluid source connected to the input end of the tube body; and c. adelivery element connected to the output end of the tube body and tobody of an animal at its other end, the tube delivering fluid from thefluid source to the delivery element.